- Basic Information o Current City: Coyocoán, Mexico o Hometown: Coyocoán, Mexico o Sex: Female o Birthday: July 6th, 1907 o Political Views: Mexican Communist Party o Religious Views: Catholic o Bio: Art is my life. I don't think anyone can understand me or get to know me better then by looking at what I paint. I don't paint my dreams or ideals; I paint my pain and my reality. I was born in Coyocoán, Mexico, in my beloved Casa Azul (Blue House), the house I grew up and died in. At age six I contracted polio, recovered from it, then attended the prestigious Mexico National Preparatory School and joined the Mexican Communist Party. At age 18 I was involved in a serious bus accident that plagued me for the rest of my life. I was bedridden for months recovering from broken ribs, legs, pelvis, and a spinal injury. It was there, in the hospital, where I taught myself to paint by copying my face from a mirror. After I got out of the hospital, I showed my paintings to Diego Rivera who encouraged my painting abilities and eventually we fell in love. Though our relationship is very rocky, my deep love and understanding for Diego can overcome any problems we have. I paint self-portraits because I am the person I know best. My paintings carry the message of pain to people. My painting is primarily influenced by Mexican Folk art, my bus accident, Diego, Communism, and bright colors. I have traveled to New York, Paris, Italy and many other places around the world with Diego showing mostly his art and meeting with other Communists. I returned to Mexico to teach at La Esmeralda Art Academy, and had my first solo exhibition in Mexico, which I attended on my bad because of my increasingly worse health problems. Now, my art has become a symbol for Mexican art and and the pain of suffering world-wide. o Favorite Quotations:
"This above all, to thine own self be true."
~Shakespeare
"I paint self portraits because I am often so alone, because I am the person I know best."
~Me
"Love is like a rose... it looks beautiful on the outside, but there is always pain hidden somewhere."
~Anonymous
"I'm painting an idea not an ideal. Basically I'm trying to create a structured painting full of controlled, and therefore potent emotion."
~Euan Eglow
"I hurt myself today to see if I still feel. I focus on the pain, the only thing that's real."
~Nine Inch Nails
- Relationships o Mother: Matilde Kahlo o Father: Wilhelm "Guillermo" Kahlo o Daughters: N/A o Sons: N/A o Brothers: N/A o Sisters: Matilde Kahlo, Adriana Kahlo, Christina Kahlo o Married To: Diego Rivera
- Likes and Interest o Activities: painting, traveling, teaching, learning, writing, Mexican Communist Party activist, storytelling o Interests: art, painting, Communism, politics, Mexican history, colorful clothes, foreign countries o Music: Anarbor, Damien Rice, Ella Fitzgerald, Breaking Benjamin, Disturbed, Coldplay o Books: Animal Farm, 1984, The Time Traveler's Wife, The Lovely Bones, Macbeth o Movies: Titanic, Animal Farm, Romeo and Juliet, Up In the Air, Sideways o Television: LOST, Ghost Whisperer, True Blood
- Education and Work o High School: National Preparatory School o College/University: N/A o Employer: La Esmeralda Art Institute, Mexico Photos(15 photos; 5 in each album)
Album 1: Diego and I
Our Wedding
Sketching a mural
At our house
A painting I did of Diego an I
Diego and I
Album 2: Pictures from Traveling
Diego and I meeting with Anson Conger Goodyear, President of the Museum of Modern History, in New York
Diego and I at a dinner of the Menorah Artist's and Writer's Committee in New York
Me with Leon Trotsky and his wife Ruth at Casa Azul
Me with photographer Nikolas Muray in Paris
Diego and I at a Mexican Party rally in Mexico City
Album 3: My Favorite Self-Portraits
The Two Fridas
Self-Portrait with Monkey
Diego and I
Self-Portrait on the Border Line Between Mexico and the United States
Self-Portrait (Dedicated to Leon Trotsky)
Groups
Group 1: Paintersinternational- Painters International
-Explanation: I joined this group because it was dedicated to my favorite thing to do, paint. This group is all about sharing tips to paint and talking to other artists around the world to learn new things. Painting is important to me because I feel like I can express feelings and emotions I normally can't put into words. I'm glad I found a group dedicated to painting that I can truly connect to other painters around the world with because the feel the same as me. Group 2: Communist2- Communists International
- Explanation: Like painters international, this group is a collection of communists around the world sharing thier ideas and view points. This gourp is a supporter of international communists and the Bolshevik Revolution, which I stand behind. Communism is the only type of government I stand behind. I am part of the Mexican Communist Party, and I regular attend rallies for the MCP and paint communism into my paintings, almost like a form of propoganda. I can also meet fellow communists in this group, possibly form Mexico, who share my views on government. GROUP 3: Diego_Rivera- Diego Rivera
- Explanation: This group is all about my husband, Diego Rivera. I joined to show my support and love for him, as well as to see what his other fans are like. SInce this is an international group, I can really track how far his influence and popularity has spread around the world from Mexico. I love Diego so much, and I wouldn't think of any other group that I wouldn't want to join more. He has taught me so much about art. This group can keep me connected and show my support for him. GROUP 4: TSalerts- Travel Savings Alerts
-Explanation: Because I travel a lot, this group can really help me get good deals to reduce the rates on Diego and me's travel to different countries around the world. I can also talk to other frequent travelers to see different places we can go and visit. Seeing new countries and places is really important to me; I not only meet new people and spread my art, but I can find new subject matter and inspiration for new paintings to come. GROUP 5: Poliosurvivors- Polio Survivors
- Explanation: Since polio was such a huge influence in my childhood and is a huge influence my paintings now, I joined this group to see how other survivors are doing and how polio affects them now. This group also gives information about post-polio syndrome and the pains survivors might be experiencing. I check in with this group to get advice on the pain and also to talk to ther survivors. It's nice to know there are others with polio out there who went through the same thing I did. GROUP 6: Catholiccorner2- Catholic Corner
- Explanation: I've been a Catholic ever since my childhood- my Mom was a devout Roman Catholic and she taught her beliefs to me. Though I'm not a strict as her, I do like to still pray and keep the Catholic faith in my life. This group is for Catholics to share thier beliefs with other Catholics around the world and keep up with Catholic news. I like to keep up with the Catholic news around the world becuase it gives me a sense of being part of a higher power. Catholic influences are also present in my art. GROUP 7: Expressivina- A Women's Expression
- Explanation: I love to express my personality through my clothes. Diego was the first person to introduce me to colorful clothes that I represent my style in. I love to wear bright colors; many people actually rocognize me because of my clothes. I also like to represent traditional and folk Mexico, which is something that shows through in my paintings as well. This group is for women like me who love freedom of expression and sharing it with other people. GROUP 8: Fridakahlosworld- Frida Kahlo's World
- Explanation: This is a place for fans of my art to connect and discuss my work. I like to connect with my fans and know that there are people out there who are inspired by my work and my story. I like to see how others interpret what I paint and see the difference from how they see my work and how I see it. I have always felt that interracting with fans of my art is important and gaining respect from others is important as well. GROUP 9: girls_with_some_facial_hair- Girls With Some Facial Hair
- Explanation: My joined eyebrows are a trademark of mine- I always put them in my self-portraits and they are almost a universal symbol of who I am and my art work. Many people think my eyebrows are rediculous and ugly-looking, and often I am made fun of for them. I see my eyebrows as a symbol of un-comformity; I like to be different form other people through my clothes and my eyebrows, two things that I would never change. They are a form of self-expression. This group is for people like me who are proud of thier facial hair and think it is something to be celebrated and not made fun of. It is also a support group for girls who hate thier facial hair and are trying to find comfort from others like them. GROUP 10: Surrealist_art- Surrealist Art
- Explanation: This group is for artists that paint in surrealist style, which means hat the artists expresses works of the subconscious and is characterized my fantastic imagery. I paint what I believe, what is in my subconscious. I paint my realities and what I think of myself and thw world. I also use imagery to do so, which includes a lot of color, symbols, and animals and people. Quizzes
QUIZ 1: What kind of novel are you?
- Classic English Novel. Your rules are simple, and if ignored the results are complicated. - Explanation: I think the results for this makes sense. I do have rules; rules to paint, rules to teach, rules to go out with my husband, rules to interacting with others. Other people know about my rules too, and they know that if they are broken or messed up things can get complicated with my life. I'm a very straightforward person, like an English novel, and this shows through in my paintings. I paint what is real, and if things get complicated in my life it is shown on my paintings. QUIZ 2: What instrument are you?
- You're a flute! Being a flute, you're really quiet, even though you might not notice it! - Explanation: I never really realized it, but I guess I am quiet unless I am telling stories, which I love to do. I'm quiet, like a flute, when I focus all of my emotions and concentration onto my artwork. I guess I'm also quiet when I am out with Diego because he tends to overshadow me a lot. Some people describe me as introverted and keeping to myself. But I guess this quiz tells me I should speak up when I'm around others to make myself noticed! QUIZ 3: What color is your soul?
- Green. You're harmonious and fresh, although you're sometimes too cautious and sometimes greedy. You're a healer by nature and a novice to most things in life. You're restful to the eye and a great friend. - I took this quiz because of my love for colors. I love wearing a lot of color in my clothes. It has almost become a trademark because everyone knows me because of it! I also wanted to see if this gave me any insight into what color is my favorite or the best for me. Green is actually a good result; I love wearing green and using it in my paintings because it represents life out and wilderness, like the Mexican jungles the Casa Azul is near. QUIZ 4: What kind of artwork are you?
- A painting. It may take a while for someone to understand you, you can be a little complex with words. You can hide feelings and pretend to have different ones. - Explanation: I took this quiz because art is practically my life, and I wanted to see how it would apply to me in a quiz. The answer was dead-on; painting is my favorite medium to use. also, people sometimes have trouble understanding me when they meet me. I'm complex with words but only because I hate being simple. Also, some people think I am hard to understand because of my artwork. I don't know why they think this; I only paint my realities and not ideals. My paintings show how I feel about myself and others. QUIZ 5: What is your inner element?
- The chaos of shadows. You're a darker, more mysterious person on the inside. Although you may be more quiet then others, it doesn't mean you're an outcast- it just means you're shy, and very choosey about those you choose to spend time with! - Explanation: Wow, this quiz got me right on the dot! People think I'm introverted and mysterious, but that is only because they don't understand me and the pain I am going through inside. And although I come off shy, the people I get to know don't see me like that. I only pick and choose the people I spend time with because they are the people who can truly understand me best. Diego, for example, knows my pain and what I am going through, and he knows how art can help me fight throughthe pain. Other people don't understand that, which makes me "shadowy."
- Basic Information
o Current City: Coyocoán, Mexico
o Hometown: Coyocoán, Mexico
o Sex: Female
o Birthday: July 6th, 1907
o Political Views: Mexican Communist Party
o Religious Views: Catholic
o Bio: Art is my life. I don't think anyone can understand me or get to know me better then by looking at what I paint. I don't paint my dreams or ideals; I paint my pain and my reality. I was born in Coyocoán, Mexico, in my beloved Casa Azul (Blue House), the house I grew up and died in. At age six I contracted polio, recovered from it, then attended the prestigious Mexico National Preparatory School and joined the Mexican Communist Party. At age 18 I was involved in a serious bus accident that plagued me for the rest of my life. I was bedridden for months recovering from broken ribs, legs, pelvis, and a spinal injury. It was there, in the hospital, where I taught myself to paint by copying my face from a mirror. After I got out of the hospital, I showed my paintings to Diego Rivera who encouraged my painting abilities and eventually we fell in love. Though our relationship is very rocky, my deep love and understanding for Diego can overcome any problems we have. I paint self-portraits because I am the person I know best. My paintings carry the message of pain to people. My painting is primarily influenced by Mexican Folk art, my bus accident, Diego, Communism, and bright colors. I have traveled to New York, Paris, Italy and many other places around the world with Diego showing mostly his art and meeting with other Communists. I returned to Mexico to teach at La Esmeralda Art Academy, and had my first solo exhibition in Mexico, which I attended on my bad because of my increasingly worse health problems. Now, my art has become a symbol for Mexican art and and the pain of suffering world-wide.
o Favorite Quotations:
"This above all, to thine own self be true."
~Shakespeare
"I paint self portraits because I am often so alone, because I am the person I know best."
~Me
"Love is like a rose... it looks beautiful on the outside, but there is always pain hidden somewhere."
~Anonymous
"I'm painting an idea not an ideal. Basically I'm trying to create a structured painting full of controlled, and therefore potent emotion."
~Euan Eglow
"I hurt myself today to see if I still feel. I focus on the pain, the only thing that's real."
~Nine Inch Nails
- Relationships
o Mother: Matilde Kahlo
o Father: Wilhelm "Guillermo" Kahlo
o Daughters: N/A
o Sons: N/A
o Brothers: N/A
o Sisters: Matilde Kahlo, Adriana Kahlo, Christina Kahlo
o Married To: Diego Rivera
- Likes and Interest
o Activities: painting, traveling, teaching, learning, writing, Mexican Communist Party activist, storytelling
o Interests: art, painting, Communism, politics, Mexican history, colorful clothes, foreign countries
o Music: Anarbor, Damien Rice, Ella Fitzgerald, Breaking Benjamin, Disturbed, Coldplay
o Books: Animal Farm, 1984, The Time Traveler's Wife, The Lovely Bones, Macbeth
o Movies: Titanic, Animal Farm, Romeo and Juliet, Up In the Air, Sideways
o Television: LOST, Ghost Whisperer, True Blood
- Education and Work
o High School: National Preparatory School
o College/University: N/A
o Employer: La Esmeralda Art Institute, Mexico
Photos (15 photos; 5 in each album)
Album 1: Diego and I
Album 2: Pictures from Traveling
Album 3: My Favorite Self-Portraits
Groups
Group 1: Paintersinternational- Painters International
-Explanation: I joined this group because it was dedicated to my favorite thing to do, paint. This group is all about sharing tips to paint and talking to other artists around the world to learn new things. Painting is important to me because I feel like I can express feelings and emotions I normally can't put into words. I'm glad I found a group dedicated to painting that I can truly connect to other painters around the world with because the feel the same as me.
Group 2: Communist2- Communists International
- Explanation: Like painters international, this group is a collection of communists around the world sharing thier ideas and view points. This gourp is a supporter of international communists and the Bolshevik Revolution, which I stand behind. Communism is the only type of government I stand behind. I am part of the Mexican Communist Party, and I regular attend rallies for the MCP and paint communism into my paintings, almost like a form of propoganda. I can also meet fellow communists in this group, possibly form Mexico, who share my views on government.
GROUP 3: Diego_Rivera- Diego Rivera
- Explanation: This group is all about my husband, Diego Rivera. I joined to show my support and love for him, as well as to see what his other fans are like. SInce this is an international group, I can really track how far his influence and popularity has spread around the world from Mexico. I love Diego so much, and I wouldn't think of any other group that I wouldn't want to join more. He has taught me so much about art. This group can keep me connected and show my support for him.
GROUP 4: TSalerts- Travel Savings Alerts
-Explanation: Because I travel a lot, this group can really help me get good deals to reduce the rates on Diego and me's travel to different countries around the world. I can also talk to other frequent travelers to see different places we can go and visit. Seeing new countries and places is really important to me; I not only meet new people and spread my art, but I can find new subject matter and inspiration for new paintings to come.
GROUP 5: Poliosurvivors- Polio Survivors
- Explanation: Since polio was such a huge influence in my childhood and is a huge influence my paintings now, I joined this group to see how other survivors are doing and how polio affects them now. This group also gives information about post-polio syndrome and the pains survivors might be experiencing. I check in with this group to get advice on the pain and also to talk to ther survivors. It's nice to know there are others with polio out there who went through the same thing I did.
GROUP 6: Catholiccorner2- Catholic Corner
- Explanation: I've been a Catholic ever since my childhood- my Mom was a devout Roman Catholic and she taught her beliefs to me. Though I'm not a strict as her, I do like to still pray and keep the Catholic faith in my life. This group is for Catholics to share thier beliefs with other Catholics around the world and keep up with Catholic news. I like to keep up with the Catholic news around the world becuase it gives me a sense of being part of a higher power. Catholic influences are also present in my art.
GROUP 7: Expressivina- A Women's Expression
- Explanation: I love to express my personality through my clothes. Diego was the first person to introduce me to colorful clothes that I represent my style in. I love to wear bright colors; many people actually rocognize me because of my clothes. I also like to represent traditional and folk Mexico, which is something that shows through in my paintings as well. This group is for women like me who love freedom of expression and sharing it with other people.
GROUP 8: Fridakahlosworld- Frida Kahlo's World
- Explanation: This is a place for fans of my art to connect and discuss my work. I like to connect with my fans and know that there are people out there who are inspired by my work and my story. I like to see how others interpret what I paint and see the difference from how they see my work and how I see it. I have always felt that interracting with fans of my art is important and gaining respect from others is important as well.
GROUP 9: girls_with_some_facial_hair- Girls With Some Facial Hair
- Explanation: My joined eyebrows are a trademark of mine- I always put them in my self-portraits and they are almost a universal symbol of who I am and my art work. Many people think my eyebrows are rediculous and ugly-looking, and often I am made fun of for them. I see my eyebrows as a symbol of un-comformity; I like to be different form other people through my clothes and my eyebrows, two things that I would never change. They are a form of self-expression. This group is for people like me who are proud of thier facial hair and think it is something to be celebrated and not made fun of. It is also a support group for girls who hate thier facial hair and are trying to find comfort from others like them.
GROUP 10: Surrealist_art- Surrealist Art
- Explanation: This group is for artists that paint in surrealist style, which means hat the artists expresses works of the subconscious and is characterized my fantastic imagery. I paint what I believe, what is in my subconscious. I paint my realities and what I think of myself and thw world. I also use imagery to do so, which includes a lot of color, symbols, and animals and people.
Quizzes
QUIZ 1: What kind of novel are you?
- Classic English Novel. Your rules are simple, and if ignored the results are complicated.
- Explanation: I think the results for this makes sense. I do have rules; rules to paint, rules to teach, rules to go out with my husband, rules to interacting with others. Other people know about my rules too, and they know that if they are broken or messed up things can get complicated with my life. I'm a very straightforward person, like an English novel, and this shows through in my paintings. I paint what is real, and if things get complicated in my life it is shown on my paintings.
QUIZ 2: What instrument are you?
- You're a flute! Being a flute, you're really quiet, even though you might not notice it!
- Explanation: I never really realized it, but I guess I am quiet unless I am telling stories, which I love to do. I'm quiet, like a flute, when I focus all of my emotions and concentration onto my artwork. I guess I'm also quiet when I am out with Diego because he tends to overshadow me a lot. Some people describe me as introverted and keeping to myself. But I guess this quiz tells me I should speak up when I'm around others to make myself noticed!
QUIZ 3: What color is your soul?
- Green. You're harmonious and fresh, although you're sometimes too cautious and sometimes greedy. You're a healer by nature and a novice to most things in life. You're restful to the eye and a great friend.
- I took this quiz because of my love for colors. I love wearing a lot of color in my clothes. It has almost become a trademark because everyone knows me because of it! I also wanted to see if this gave me any insight into what color is my favorite or the best for me. Green is actually a good result; I love wearing green and using it in my paintings because it represents life out and wilderness, like the Mexican jungles the Casa Azul is near.
QUIZ 4: What kind of artwork are you?
- A painting. It may take a while for someone to understand you, you can be a little complex with words. You can hide feelings and pretend to have different ones.
- Explanation: I took this quiz because art is practically my life, and I wanted to see how it would apply to me in a quiz. The answer was dead-on; painting is my favorite medium to use. also, people sometimes have trouble understanding me when they meet me. I'm complex with words but only because I hate being simple. Also, some people think I am hard to understand because of my artwork. I don't know why they think this; I only paint my realities and not ideals. My paintings show how I feel about myself and others.
QUIZ 5: What is your inner element?
- The chaos of shadows. You're a darker, more mysterious person on the inside. Although you may be more quiet then others, it doesn't mean you're an outcast- it just means you're shy, and very choosey about those you choose to spend time with!
- Explanation: Wow, this quiz got me right on the dot! People think I'm introverted and mysterious, but that is only because they don't understand me and the pain I am going through inside. And although I come off shy, the people I get to know don't see me like that. I only pick and choose the people I spend time with because they are the people who can truly understand me best. Diego, for example, knows my pain and what I am going through, and he knows how art can help me fight throughthe pain. Other people don't understand that, which makes me "shadowy."